A headteacher has furthered inflamed debate around term time holidays after it emerged he has been given permission to take a break from school to compete in a duathlon - for the second time.

Paul Abeledo, 45, head of Rush Green primary school in London previously came under fire from parents after he was given permission to take part in a triathlon in Austria last year.

And now it has emerged he will get a further five days off during term time to compete in a duathlon in Australia this month.

Parents who choose to take their children out of school during term time currently face the risk of court action and a fine.

One mother told MailOnline: "Our school will not benefit from him attending [the duathlon] in term time."

Athletic: Paul Abeledo in his running gear on his Linked In profile

"Some parents were planning to do a mass walkout but they have been firmly advised any such action would be flouting the rules and fines [would be] given to all involved.

"Yet this man can pick and choose when he likes to attend school."

David Hodge, the Chair of Governors, said the decision to allow Mr Abeledo to compete on behalf of Great Britain at the duathlon was given "unanimous approval" in line with the school's policy on applications for leave.